Salt-Water Aging, Bonding, and In-Service Performance of a Novel Poured Silicone Expansion Joint Sealant for Small Movement Bridges

Salt-Water Aging, Bonding, and In-Service Performance of a Novel Poured Silicone Expansion Joint Sealant for Small Movement Bridges
Author: Dominic Kruszewski
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2016
Genre: Electronic dissertations
ISBN:

According to ASCE’s 2013 Infrastructure Report Card, over 200 million trips are taken daily over a structurally deficient bridge in the United States. One of the most commonly observed degradation factors that contribute to compromising the structural integrity of bridges includes leaking expansion joints which allow water, debris and deicing corrosive materials to penetrate through to the substructure. These corrosive agents can significantly damage the bearing and other key components of the bridge, hindering the lifespan of the structure. Currently, poured silicone sealant joint systems must be replaced every 2-3 years in Connecticut. A novel silicone foam sealant has been developed to provide a long term, cost effective sealing method for small movement expansion joints. The foam sealant, developed by chemically modifying the commercially available silicone sealant developed by Watson Bowman Acme Corp. (termed â€solid sealant†herein), expands approximately 70% of its initial volume allowing for significant material savings compared to the existing product. Furthermore, the stress modulus of the foam sealant was observed to be significantly lower than that of the solid sealant, yielding reduced stresses at the interaction surface between the sealant and the substrate. This research work presents the laboratory experiments conducted to compare the bonding properties of the foam and solid sealant, as detachment from the substrate is a major concern. Each experiment contained some combination of variables such as varying substrate materials and primer application. A five-month aging study was performed to observe the adhesion characteristics of both sealants with and without the presence of road salt as a function of accelerated aging. The salt water aging experiment revealed that the application of primer onto the contact surface of the substrate yielded no significant difference in tensile and/or adhesion performance. The solid sealant’s ultimate strain did not improve and the failure mode was almost always characteristically adhesive. Similarly, the ultimate strain of the foam sealant did not significantly change when primer was applied, and the cohesive failure mode was also consistent regardless of primer treatment. Both sealants, however, exhibited a reduced ultimate stress and while the ultimate strain increased as a function of aging. Additionally, through the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the foam sealant expansion joint system was installed on three bridges throughout the state to assess its performance under real conditions including environmental and vehicular effects. Both sealants were installed in a systematic manner to allow for direct comparison of their performance under the same conditions. Finally, field monitoring of the expansion joints was performed to understand the movement of each joint gap and determine whether the foam sealant can be considered as an effective sealing system under these demands while also monitoring the performance of the solid sealant. After several site visits, a few cohesive failures were observed in both sealants which were installed on the bridge with the largest joint gap. Two of these failures were located where the solid sealant was installed, while one failure occurred in the foam sealant. All three bridges are still undergoing consistent monitoring and visual inspection.

Experimental and Applied Mechanics, Volume 6

Experimental and Applied Mechanics, Volume 6
Author: Tom Proulx
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 859
Release: 2011-06-01
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 144199792X

This the sixth volume of six from the Annual Conference of the Society for Experimental Mechanics, 2010, brings together 128 chapters on Experimental and Applied Mechanics. It presents early findings from experimental and computational investigations including High Accuracy Optical Measurements of Surface Topography, Elastic Properties of Living Cells, Standards for Validating Stress Analyses by Integrating Simulation and Experimentation, Efficiency Enhancement of Dye-sensitized Solar Cell, and Blast Performance of Sandwich Composites With Functionally Graded Core.

Introduction to Polymer Viscoelasticity

Introduction to Polymer Viscoelasticity
Author: Montgomery T. Shaw
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 339
Release: 2005-08-19
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0471741825

A revised molecular approach to a classic on viscoelasticbehavior Because viscoelasticity affects the properties, appearance,processing, and performance of polymers such as rubber, plastic,and adhesives, a proper utilization of such polymers requires aclear understanding of viscoelastic behavior. Now in its third edition, Introduction to Polymer Viscoelasticityremains a classic in the literature of molecular viscoelasticity,bridging the gap between primers on polymer science and advancedresearch-level monographs. Assuming a molecular, rather than amechanical approach, the text provides a strong grounding in thefundamental concepts, detailed derivations, and particularattention to assumptions, simplifications, and limitations. This Third Edition has been entirely revised and updated to reflectrecent developments in the field. New chapters include: * Phenomenological Treatment of Viscoelasticity * Viscoelastic Models * Time-Temperature Correspondence * Transitions and Relaxation in Polymers * Elasticity of Rubbery Networks * Dielectric and NMR Methods With detailed explanations, corresponding equations, andexperimental methods, supported by real-life applications (as wellas the inclusion of a CD-ROM with data to support the exercises),this Third Edition provides today's students and professionals withthe tools they need to create polymers with more desirablequalities than ever.

Engineering and Design

Engineering and Design
Author: Us Army Corps Of Engineers
Publisher: Military Bookshop
Total Pages: 192
Release: 1995-06
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9781780397603

This manual provides guidance on evaluating the condition of the concrete in a structure, relating the condition of the concrete to the underlying cause or causes of that condition, selecting an appropriate repair material and method for any deficiency found, and using the selected materials and methods to repair or rehabilitate the structure. Guidance is also included on maintenance of concrete and on preparation of concrete investigation reports for repair and rehabilitation projects. Considerations for certain specialized types of rehabilitation projects are also given.

Twentieth-Century Building Materials

Twentieth-Century Building Materials
Author: Thomas C. Jester
Publisher: Getty Publications
Total Pages: 354
Release: 2014-08-01
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 1606063251

Over the concluding decades of the twentieth century, the historic preservation community increasingly turned its attention to modern buildings, including bungalows from the 1930s, gas stations and diners from the 1940s, and office buildings and architectural homes from the 1950s. Conservation efforts, however, were often hampered by a lack of technical information about the products used in these structures, and to fill this gap Twentieth-Century Building Materials was developed by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service and first published in 1995. Now, this invaluable guide is being reissued—with a new preface by the book’s original editor. With more than 250 illustrations, including a full-color photographic essay, the volume remains an indispensable reference on the history and conservation of modern building materials. Thirty-seven essays written by leading experts offer insights into the history, manufacturing processes, and uses of a wide range of materials, including glass block, aluminum, plywood, linoleum, and gypsum board. Readers will also learn about how these materials perform over time and discover valuable conservation and repair techniques. Bibliographies and sources for further research complete the volume. The book is intended for a wide range of conservation professionals including architects, engineers, conservators, and material scientists engaged in the conservation of modern buildings, as well as scholars in related disciplines.

Bridge Bearings and Expansion Joints

Bridge Bearings and Expansion Joints
Author: D J Lee
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 221
Release: 1994-11-03
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 1482266997

This book provides a guide to movement and restraint in bridges for bridge engineers and will enable them to draw up design calculations and specifications for effective installation, and satisfactory service and durability of bearings and joints. It has been fully revised and updated in line with current codes and design practice, modern developme